Crossbows extend hunting season for whitetail deer

There used to be a predictable sequence of shooting choices for whitetail deer hunting seasons. First came archery and then the gun seasons. That was it. Bow hunters were left out in the cold when late season rolled around. The season might still be open, but the gear couldn’t stand up to the extreme conditions.

Draw back on a compound bow and you felt the draft of chilly air up the arms. Moving any part of the body brought a chill. Cold fingers made shooting a release just plain difficult. Layering up to beat the cold restricted range of motion.

Cold weather and chilly north winds are givens in post-rut whitetail hunting. The wind can blow, snow can fall, and the weather can get downright unbearable. Yet archery hunters have another option to enjoy the pursuit of their favorite game animal.

That option is crossbow hunting. Crossbows offer distinct advantages over compound bows. Those benefits are worth considering for closing out the season with a trophy whitetail buck.

“With a crossbow, there is no need to hold back draw weight or require a specific range of motion and vertical space from which to shoot,” says Jake Miller, on the staff of TenPoint Crossbow Technologies.

Miller should know. What sets TenPoint apart in the crossbow world are the people who design and manufacture the products where the company is located in Ohio. The state is surrounded by some of the best whitetail deer hunting in the Midwest and Northeast. Not surprisingly, TenPoint employees like Miller are hunters. They spend lots of time putting TenPoint crossbows and accessories to the test, inside and outside the factory.

“Our crossbows are safe, user-friendly and become a fantastic tool to help make late season whitetail deer hunting more successful,” adds Miller.

Once assembled, the Titan SS is only 35-inches long, weighs just 6.7 pounds, and shoots up to a blistering 340 feet per second. The Titan SS is 3 inches shorter, 1/2 pound lighter, and seven FPS faster than its Titan Xtreme predecessor.

The crossbow comes standard with TenPoint’s 3x Pro-View 2 Scope, and, like all TenPoint crossbows, it features TenPoint’s patented DFI (Dry-Fire-Inhibitor) and T3 auto-engaging safety trigger. Prices are $599 for the skinny package, $699 for the complete package with no cocking mechanism, $799 for the complete package with ACUdraw 50 and $899 for the complete package with ACUdraw.

Another lightweight, compact crossbow packed with power is the Carbon Nitro RDX Crossbow Package. The reverse draw technology assembly measures a remarkable 10-inches axle-to-axle when cocked and delivers a vicious hit up to 385 FPS. The bow weighs just 7.8 pounds, measures 34.25 inches long and is available as a complete package.

Crossbow hunting indeed expands the effectiveness and success for archery hunters during late season. Even so, the hunter must adjust to the more challenging conditions.

Fortunately, clothing is warmer, lighter and moisture management is better than ever. You can stay out longer and feel more comfortable to keep the mind sharp. Do that with these strategies for late season success.

Hunting near the edge of bedding areas is a plus. Whitetails are less active so being nearer their bedding areas increases your odds of seeing more animals. They don’t move as much so being where they spend most time is beneficial.

In highly pressured areas avoid using deer calls. Whitetails are easily spooked, and a chorus of calls from multiple hunters will alarm them. Stay in stealth mode and listen for whitetail movement instead.

Ground blinds are popular for crossbow hunters with physical limitations. In late season the enclosed blinds make them a welcome spot to hunt for any hunter. Scent control is a must. When hunting from a blind ground keep everything closed except for the shooting window.

For morning hunts plan to be on stand at least one hour before daylight. Stealth is key in the late season. Foliage and cover are limited, or gone altogether, and the hunter must avoid being seen by whitetails from afar.

Getting there sooner than later can bring early success. Strike early and you can be back inside by the fireplace knowing your hunting season was a success.

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